Pale Comb

[steve1423]

So I have a broody hen and we stuck her into a broody breaker wire cage... She was in for two days and last night I noticed her comb was pale and not sticking up so we took her out so she could run around the yard with the other hens, and closed the coop door because she is still broody. What do I do about this pale "comb" and bent over? And what does this mean? Or is it just something like when dolphins are in captivity there fins get bent. Is it something like that from being in the cage? Or is she sick or something?

 

[critters]

i have had some that on sitting on their nests their comb gets pale....the hens seemed fine each time...
once she got out into the sun for several days their color came back...

don't know if that is her problem but that was my experience...(happened with a few ducks too)

hope she does well...

 

[steve1423]

I hope its just that and nothing big!

 

[Sylvestor12]

Broody hens that STAY don't get their sun, making it pale, and If they're in the box thinking they are sitting on eggs during the last bit they don't move, even getting to be thin. Try feeding her some choped up chicken liver.

 

[GardenerGal]

The chopped liver = iron supplement? And protein?

I have found that goldfish flakes or pellets (balanced diet for goldfish) makes a great supplement for my bantams. If they look pale, I add it to their regular layer pellets and scratch feed, and they color up very well.

 

[Sylvestor12]

Yes, the liver gives iron and protein, both things the chicken needs when broody.

 

[steve1423]

Do I cook the liver first? Or feed it to her raw?

 

[Sylvestor12]

either way, your choice.